10 Herbs You Can Grow in Containers

September 28, 2011 0 Comments

10 Herbs You Can Grow in Containers

Article by Lee Dobbins

Growing herbs has become a very popular hobby today. Not only are they decorative, but growing herbs yourself gives you an ongoing fresh supply of herbs for cooking.

A good thing about growing herbs is that they can be done indoors. This way, they can be enjoyed even if you are living in the city and do not have room for outdoor gardening space.

Helpful Tips for Growing Herbs in Containers

1. Herbs ideally thrive in the ground, but with proper choices and the right precautions, they can flourish in the indoor garden. They have to be positioned inside the house where they can grow well.

2. You can combine herbs of different colors to create an atmosphere inside your house. For example, you can get calendula or lemon thyme, herbs with sunny colors for a brighter effect.

3. Let the herbs grow together. They can create a climate among them that will further encourage their growth. They also create a fuller and healthier appearance.

4. Limit the amount of herbs you will plant in a container. It should depend on the size of your container. There should at least be an allowance of four inches square in between each type of herb.

5. Get a clean container to start with the hobby. The container must allow good drainage for the herbs. Use also the type of soil that is porous enough to let water easily go down to the roots.

6. Try to pick commercial potting mix instead of the usual garden soil. They especially contain minerals that can support the needs of your herbs in containers.

7. Check out regularly your herbs, especially if they need some watering. Different herbs will have different moisture requirements.

Just make sure that they do not get too much dry. At the same time, do not drown them either.

10 Herbs to Grow in Containers

There are many kinds of herbs to choose from for your indoor garden. It is best to choose those that can be arranged together. Here are some of them that should be in your top 10 consideration.

1. Silver Plants

Most herb growers would choose according to a color scheme. The herb containers can have an arrangement according to the hue of the plants.

There are herbs that give out silvery hues. They are best for creating an elegant look in the corner of your house and perfect for a garden to be enjoyed in the evening.

You can use artemisias, curry plants and santolinas.

2. Golden Herbs

There are also golden herbs that can add a bright attitude in your mornings. They are perfect for days when the sun shine greets you inside the house.

Your golden garden can have lemon thyme, calendula, nasturtium and even the variegated sage and lemon balm.

3. Blue Garden

If your favorite color is blue, then you can have your indoor herb garden in all blue also. Choose or combine borage, hyssop, rosemary and catmint for that blue collection.

4. Italian Choices

People who love anything Italian can make use of the Italian selection. Sweet basil, oregano, marjoram, thyme and the Italian parsley can perfectly grow together and respond to your Italian needs anytime.

5. Salad Bar

To vegetarians out there or people who simply enjoy salads, planting herbs like garlic chives, salad burnet, celery and rocket will be a good choice. You need not go to the market to enjoy a bowl of salad.

6. Go French

People who enjoy French cooking can also tend tarragon, parsley, sage and chervil.

7. Enjoy the Scent

Some households can make use of a lovely scent to set the mood. Lavender, lemon thyme, pineapple sage and the rose scented geranium are some of the perfect choices for a pleasant garden.

8. Insect Repellent

You can also grow herbs in your container that can function as insect repellents. This is especially useful for a household with kids.

9. Culinary Herbs

It is also nice to grow and tend culinary herbs inside your house. It is like having your own kitchen needs at hand anytime you want them.

Some of these culinary herbs that can be grown in containers are rosemary, mint, chives, or sage.

These are good seasoning for most of your cooking. The lemon balm is also perfect for your barbecue afternoons.

10. Loner Herbs

There are herbs that have to be kept and maintained in their own containers. They tend to overpower other herbs if they are put in a group.

Oreganos, lemon balm or bee balm and even mints are herbs that must be on their own or else they will overtake all the plants in your indoor garden.

Conclusion

Planting herbs in containers will definitely let you enjoy the delight of growing herbs even if you do not have any space outdoors.

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